The American Heart Association (AHA) announced a new initiative during National EMS Week aimed at improving emergency response for cardiac arrest, heart attack, and stroke by addressing critical gaps in communication and technology. When someone experiences these emergencies, reliable communication between dispatch, EMS crews, and receiving hospitals can mean the difference between life and death. Yet, as mobile technologies like telehealth platforms and mobile stroke units rapidly transform emergency response, gaps in systems of care can arise, leaving lives in the balance.
Supported by T-Mobile, the AHA will convene EMS agency leadership, hospital executives, and public health partners in 13 cities to identify where technology can be better used to close these gaps. The cities include Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco. The initiative will be integrated into the AHA's Mission: Lifeline EMS program, which engages more than 1,000 EMS agencies nationwide. This effort is part of the AHA's Nation of Lifesavers movement, aiming to double survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by 2030.
"When communication breaks down in the chain of survival, people die. This initiative translates our national mission into market-level action—working alongside EMS leaders to improve care in real communities," said Dr. Kacey Kronenfeld, volunteer co-chair of the AHA's EMS Task Force. The AHA will host regional system of care forums in each target market to identify and close communication and technology gaps. These forums will generate market-level insights that feed into national learning, comparative data analysis, and actionable improvement strategies. Annual national roundtables, co-hosted by the AHA and T-Mobile, will convene technology leaders from EMS agencies to shape the future of emergency communication systems.
"Connectivity saves lives—and that's not just a tagline for us," said Rod Cruz, vice president of growth and emerging businesses at T-Mobile. "Supporting the American Heart Association in improving how EMS teams, dispatchers, and hospitals communicate is a natural extension of that commitment." With T-Mobile's financial support, the AHA will also work to expand participation in Mission: Lifeline EMS recognition, encouraging more agencies to meet the program's standards for guideline-directed care in cardiac and stroke emergencies. The initiative underscores the importance of seamless communication in the chain of survival, from bystander CPR to hospital care.
For more information on bystander CPR and other resources, visit the AHA's Hands-Only CPR Resources page. The AHA, a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, has been a leading source of health information for over a century, supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally.
